Translation and Meaning of: 神 - kami

The Japanese word 神[かみ] is one of the most fascinating and culturally rich in the language. If you're looking for its meaning, origin, or how to use it in daily life, this article will guide you through everything you need to know. We will explore everything from its kanji writing to its role in Japanese mythology, including memorization tips and practical examples. Whether for study or curiosity, understanding 神[かみ] is essential for diving into the language and culture of Japan.

Meaning and usage of 神[かみ]

Kami [かみ] is commonly translated as "god" or "deity," but its meaning goes beyond the religious. In Japan, the word can refer to supernatural entities, nature spirits, or even something that inspires reverence, like an extraordinary talent. For example, saying that someone has 神の手を持つ (te-nin of a deity) means that this person has almost divine abilities in their field.

Unlike Western concepts of divinity, 神[かみ] does not necessarily represent an omnipotent being. In Shintoism, kami can be a natural force, a revered ancestor, or even sacred objects. This flexibility means that the word appears in various contexts, from traditional ceremonies to everyday expressions.

Origin and writing of the kanji 神

The kanji 神 is composed of the radical 示 (which indicates divinity) and the component 申 (originally associated with lightning). This combination reflects the ancient belief that natural phenomena were divine manifestations. Curiously, the oldest version of the character depicted an altar with offerings, evolving into its current form over the centuries.

In the Japanese language, 神 is classified as an N4 level kanji in the JLPT, appearing in words like 神社 (jinja, shrine) and 神話 (shinwa, mythology). Its reading かみ is one of the first that students learn, precisely because of its cultural significance and frequency in basic texts.

God [kami] in Japanese culture

In Japan, the relationship with 神[かみ] is as everyday as it is spiritual. Millions of Shinto shrines scattered across the country house local kami, showing how the concept is rooted in society. Festivals like Matsuri celebrate these deities, while expressions like 神様 (kamisama) demonstrate respect when speaking of them.

In the media, 神[かみ] appears constantly - from animes like "Noragami" to games that explore Japanese mythology. This constant presence means that even those who do not study Japanese end up becoming familiar with the term, even if they do not realize its cultural depth.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 神様 (kami-sama) - God, deity, used with reverence.
• 神格 (shinkaku) - Divinity, divine nature.
• 神祇 (shingi) - Deities, divine spirits in the spiritual or religious context.
• 神明 (shinmei) - Divine deity often refers to specific deities of the shrines.
• 神社 (jinja) - Shinto shrine, a place of worship for deities.
• 神話 (shinwa) - Myth, a sacred narrative that describes the actions and nature of the deities.

神

Romaji: kami
Kana: かみ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: God

Meaning in English: god

Definition: A entity in which people believe and worship.

Example Sentences - (神) kami

See below some example sentences:

宗教は人々の信仰と精神的な支えです。

Shūkyō wa hitobito no shin'kō to seishinteki na sasaedeshi

Religion is the religion and mental support of the people.

• 宗教 - Religion
• は - Topic particle
• 人々 - people
• の - Possession particle
• 信仰 - Faith
• と - connecting particle
• 精神的な - spiritual
• 支え - support
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

神は私たちの側にいる。

Kami wa watashitachi no soba ni iru

God is in us.

• 神 - means "God" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 私たち - personal pronoun meaning "we"
• の - Possession particle in Japanese
• 側 - noun meaning "side" or "near side"
• に - destination particle in Japanese
• いる - verb meaning "to be" or "to exist" in Japanese
• . - Period

神話は古代の人々の信仰や文化を伝える大切な物語です。

Shinwa wa kodai no hitobito no shinkō ya bunka o tsutaeru taisetsu na monogatari desu

Myth is an important story that conveys the religion and culture of ancient people.

• 神話 - Myth
• は - Topic particle
• 古代 - Antique
• の - Possession particle
• 人々 - people
• の - Possession particle
• 信仰 - Faith
• や - enumeration particle
• 文化 - culture
• を - object particle
• 伝える - transmit
• 大切 - important
• な - Suffix indicating adjective
• 物語 - history
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

神聖な場所に行きたいです。

Kamisē na basho ni ikitai desu

I want to go to a holy place.

• 神聖な - adjective meaning "sacred"
• 場所 - Noun that means "place"
• に - particle that indicates the target or destination of the action
• 行きたい - verb in the desejative form meaning "to want to go"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence

神殿は古代の信仰の象徴です。

Shinden wa kodai no shinkō no shōchō desu

The temple is a symbol of the ancient faith.

The temple is a symbol of ancient religion.

• 神殿 - temple
• は - Topic particle
• 古代 - old
• の - Possessive particle
• 信仰 - Faith, belief
• の - Possessive particle
• 象徴 - symbol
• です - Verb to be

神様は私たちを見守ってくれています。

Kamisama wa watashitachi o mimamotte kurete imasu

God is watching us.

• 神様 - God
• は - Topic particle
• 私たち - we
• を - direct object particle
• 見守ってくれています - is watching over us and taking care of us

私は神に心を捧げる。

Watashi wa kami ni kokoro wo sasageru

I dedicate my heart to God.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 神 (kami) - noun that means "god"
• に (ni) - particle indicating the target of the action, in this case "to"
• 心 (kokoro) - noun that means "heart"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case "to dedicate"
• 捧げる (sasageru) - verb that means "to dedicate"

私は神社に行きたいです。

Watashi wa jinja ni ikitai desu

I want to go to the sanctuary.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 神社 (jinja) - Shinto shrine
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the destination or location of an action, in this case "to"
• 行きたい (ikitai) - Verb in the form of desire that means "want to go"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私は神様が私たちの人生を司ると信じています。

Watashi wa kamisama ga watashitachi no jinsei o tsukasadoru to shinjite imasu

I believe God will control our lives.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 神様 (kamisama) - noun that means "god"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "god"
• 私たち (watashitachi) - personal pronoun meaning "we"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "our"
• 人生 (jinsei) - substantive that means "life"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "life"
• 司る (tsukasadoru) - verb that means "to govern" or "to control"
• と (to) - particle that indicates direct quotation, in this case, "that"
• 信じています (shinjiteimasu) - verb that means "to believe" or "to have faith" conjugated in the affirmative present

私は神を崇拝します。

Watashi wa kami wo suuhai shimasu

I worship God.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 神 - Japanese noun meaning "god"
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 崇拝 - Japanese verb meaning "to worship" or "to adore"
• します - Japanese verb that means "to do" or "to perform" in a polite form